The CNDP (National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection) is taking part, along with its counterparts - the authorities in charge of protecting privacy and personal data worldwide - in the online monitoring operation to ensure that mobile applications and websites targeting children respect their privacy.
For the record, the GPEN was set up to strengthen cross-border cooperation between personal data protection authorities.
This first concerted action is being undertaken by privacy and personal data protection authorities given the scale of the proliferation of mobile applications and websites directly or indirectly targeting children.
Thus, between May 11 and 15, each authority will conduct operations in its respective territory to monitor mobile sites and applications. The CNDP has chosen May 13, 2015 to examine some 50 mobile applications and websites targeting children.
As part of this initiative, the authorities concerned will check whether the applications and websites examined collect children's personal data, and whether the means of protection and control are in place.
This operation mainly concerns gaming sites, social networks, mobile applications, as well as sites offering educational services or tutoring.
The main aims of this initiative are to:
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- Raise public awareness of privacy protection;
- Encourage compliance with personal data protection laws;
- Develop cooperation between personal data control authorities in this field.
In concrete terms, the CNDP and the supervisory authorities will check whether mobile applications and websites aimed at young audiences have:
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- Provided for parental involvement prior to the use of services and the collection of personal data;
- Raised their audience's awareness of privacy issues;
- Provided information on personal data protection adapted to the target audience (clear language, animations, etc.);
- Put in place the means to enable children to delete the data collected about them.
As part of this international operation, the CNDP is using a common analysis grid developed by all the GPEN protection authorities. The results will be published in the last quarter of 2015. They will help to draw up a summary table of the practices of mobile sites and applications meant for children, taking into account the specific features of each country.
